These drawings were prepared as illustrations for a manuscript detailing the history of the 21st General Hospital Surgical Service prepared by Col. John F. Patton. Members of the Surgical Service contributed articles detailing both the traditional and innovative methods used in the treatment of battle casualties. The top drawing shows the improvised suction box used for skin grafting, which could be cut from either a piece of tin or from an ether can. The lower drawing accompanied an article about fracture treatment. Capt. John C. Modlin described how double skeletal traction had been used with success in 23 battle fractures of the distal half of the femur. The usual tibial tubercle traction was supplemented with femoral lift to reduce misalignment of the femur as the bone healed.

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